Page 23 - The Informed Fed--Hearn (edited 10.29.20)

clients. You can become a more valuable resource to yourself and your
family if you are willing to learn.
This book is divided into two parts because, before you can take a
grasp of new information, you need to rethink your thinking. It does no
good to put on perfume before you take shower, if it just keeps the stink
undercover even longer! The first part of this book will be the mental
shower. This will remove the odor of misconceptions, misinformation
and misunderstandings. You will then dry off and apply the perfume of
knowledge which will enable you to get a “fresh” start so you understand
and utilize your benefits more effectively. The following chapters contain
the Earn While You Learn Philosophy. I believe that if you take the time
to learn these principles, you will become a more productive employee
and, in turn, have a more successful and enjoyable career. You will also
be able to enjoy a more satisfying retirement by simply putting these
concepts and facts into action. If you have had concerns or doubts about
your federal career, this chapter should be an eye opener.
Now is the time to view things from a much more positive
perspective. This will set the stage for a better managed career and life
altogether. If your final decision is to leave federal service before you
retire, the principles that you will learn from this book will help you get
the most out of the time you do spend with the federal government. At
the beginning of this book, we mentioned that you need to view your
benefits as a tool. The success of that tool depends upon the person
using that tool to its maximum potential. Now, let’s look closer at this
concept and determine how it can benefit you. You are probably
acquainted with a couple of coworkers who view their finances from two
different perspectives. They are financial opposites. They may even earn
about the same and have very similar benefit packages. You may have
observed this and asked yourself how two people can have the same tool
at their disposal, yet end up with a much different outcome? We feel that,
outside of tragic events and setbacks, lack of knowledge is the problem.
How do you gain knowledge? By study and practice. The old adage

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